Who's leaving EastEnders in 2026?
Keeping track of the Walford revolving door is a full-time job, so here's the state of play as of July 2026. The short version: Nigel and Julie Bates, Chrissie Watts, Jake Moon, and Cora Cross have already gone this year — and Bea Pollard, Sam Mitchell, and Grant Mitchell are on their way out.
It all flows from a bloody Christmas. Dr Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) was murdered on Christmas night 2025 — Jasmine was eventually unmasked as his killer — and the fallout has shaped almost every exit since. Bailey took the twist gracefully, saying in his farewell interview:
"I love EastEnders and I love seeing the show thrive."
Already gone in 2026
- Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) — the most emotional exit of the year. Nigel's death, following his young-onset dementia storyline, closed a Walford story that began back in 1992.
- Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) — departed alongside her husband's story.
- Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) — returned, was suspected of Anthony's murder, was cleared, got engaged, and sped out of Walford in February 2026 before the police could reach her.
- Jake Moon (Joel Beckett) — came back in February for a short stint to dig into the Christmas murder, then left with Chrissie.
- Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) — a brief return and farewell.
On their way out
- Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona) — joined in January 2026 as an old schoolmate of Linda Carter's; her exit was announced in June 2026, with insiders promising increasingly sinister behaviour and "dramatic scenes" before she goes.
- Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) — returned for a breast cancer storyline that was always designed as a short stay. The stint was extended, but her departure remains on the cards.
- Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) — his comeback was billed as temporary from the start, and his exit is expected later this year.
The Jay Brown situation
Jamie Borthwick was suspended in 2025 after footage emerged of him using a slur about disabled people during a live show. He was initially expected back after three months, but that return was shelved, and reports say he has been axed — meaning Jay Brown's two-decade run appears to be over without an on-screen goodbye.
One caveat: this is EastEnders, where announcements land weekly and "final" exits have a habit of reversing. Stacey Slater has already promised she won't be gone long.
After losing Martin, Bianca, and Sonia last year, the Square can't say it wasn't warned. In Walford, the exits are the only thing guaranteed to keep coming.